Improvement in hydrants



'-stores and houses, by which the water may tirely drained oli', so as to leave no water in UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM TODD, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HVDRANTS.

Specification forming part ofLetters Patent No. 179,742. dated July l1, 1876; application tiled May 9,

To all whom it may concern l Be it known that I, WILLIAM TODD, of Portland, Cumberland county, Maine, have invented a new and Improved Hydrant, of which the following is a specification In the accompanying drawing, Figure l represents a vertical longitudinal section ot' my improved service-pipe and gate for hydrants and other purposes. Fig. 2 is avertical tranverse section of the same on line O O, Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a detail View oi' the sliding gate that shuts ott' connection of main and service pipe.

Similar' letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

rlhe invention relates to an improved service pipe and gate for post-hydrants, and for be readily shut o from the main pipe and enthe connecting-pipes, and prevent the freezing and bursting ot' the same, by means ot' a simple and readily-operated mechanism.

My invention consists of a sliding gate ot' the main pipe, and ot' a drain-valve ofthe connecting-pipe, that are jointly operated from the top of the hydrant, so that the gate is closed simultaneously with the opening ofthe drain-valve and vice versa.

In the dra\ving,A represents the main pipe, which is connected by the service-pipe to the hydrant, and to stores, houses, &c rlhe main A may be, shut oft' from the service pipe by a gate, O, that slides in a suitable guide-casing, C', being operated by a crank, a, at the end ot' a crank-rod, b, turning in bearings ot' the service-pipe. Ihe crank c works in a guiderecess, a of the sliding gate, as shown in Fig. 3. The opposite end of the horizontal crankrod b has a rigid crank arm, d, to the end ot' which is pivoted a vertical upward-extending rod, e, that is operated by a hand-wheel, key, or otherwise, from the post ot' the hydrantbox or other part on the sidewalk or street. The vertical connecting-rod e raises or lowers the gate, as desired, so as to furnish a watersupply from the main, or interrupt the same. A lug, d', of the crank d, back ofthe pivot-bearings ot' thecrank-shaft b. engages theupper end of a bell-crank lever, f, that is fulerumed at its angle to suitable bearin gs, and connected by its lower arm to a valve, D, that closes the lower open part of the vertical section otthe service-pipe. The crank a and lug` d ot' rod or shaft b are so arranged, relatively, that when the former opens the gate the latter closes simultaneously the valve, and, vice versa, closes the gate and opensA the valve. tal part ot' the service-pipe has a slope or fall, by which a perfect drainage is produced through the valve on the closing ot' the gate, which renders the freezing up ot' the hydrant connecting-pipes in cold weather impossible, and keeps the hydrant always ready for use in case of lire, While saving the repairs and delay incidental to frozen and bursted pipes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with amain and service pipe oi' a hydrant, Src., ot' a sliding gate at the main, and of a drain-valve at the open vertical part of the connecting-pipe, the gate and valve heilig operated simultaneously, so that when one is closed the other' is open, and vice versa, substantially as herein shown and described. Y

2. The combination with the main pipe and connecting-pipe, having guide-casing, ot' a sliding gate operated to open or close the main by crankshaft and pivot-rod connection with the post ot' the hydrant, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. The combination ofthe post, connectingrod, and crank-shaft, having lug, with the drain-valve and operating bell-crank lever, substantially as herein shown and described.

WILLIAM TODD. Witnesses:

EDWD. MAsoN, GEORGE RANDALL. 

